Collapsible Shapeable Hat

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a collapsible, shapeable hat. Exemplary embodiments of the collapsible, shapeable hat include a crown and a brim, the crown composed of material shaped to cover a head and including an outer edge, the brim extending from the outer edge of the crown and brim including an interior region and an outer perimeter. The interior region is composed of pliant material. The brim is joined to the outer edge of the crown and extending distally from the outer edge such that the interior region is adjacent the outer edge and the outer perimeter is further distal to the crown. A semi-rigid line is secured to the brim, the semi-rigid line being a semi-rigid length of material granular manipulable laterally and longitudinally substantially along its entire length, enabling lateral and longitudinal manipulation along the majority of points of its length.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hats, more specifically to collapsible, shapeable hats.

Description of the Related Art

A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, events, or as a fashion accessory. Hats provide head coverage and blocking from the elements. Common hats include a crown and a brim, with the brim commonly including cardboard or other stiff material. There are knit hats but they lack a brim, which limits the utility that a brim provides.

Hats can be bulky and difficult to carry around, other than wearing the hat on one's head. There are folding baseball caps, but they are collapsible along the axis of a fold, which limits the minimum size.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a collapsible, shapeable hat. Exemplary embodiments of the collapsible, shapeable hat include a crown and a brim, the crown composed of material shaped to cover a head and including an outer edge, the brim extending from the outer edge of the crown and brim including an interior region and an outer perimeter. The interior region is composed of pliant material. The brim is joined to the outer edge of the crown and extending distally from the outer edge such that the interior region is adjacent the outer edge and the outer perimeter is further distal to the crown. A semi-rigid line is secured to the brim, the semi-rigid line being a semi-rigid length of material granular manipulable laterally and longitudinally substantially along its entire length, enabling lateral and longitudinal manipulation along the majority of points of its length.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a side perspective view of an embodiment of a hat in its expanded state;

FIG. 1B depicts a side perspective view of an embodiment of a hat in its collapsed state;

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of an embodiment of an alternate hat in its expanded state;

FIG. 3A depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a hat with its brim in a first shape;

FIG. 3B depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a hat with its brim in a second shape;

FIG. 3C depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a hat with its brim in a third shape;

FIG. 4A depicts a front view of an embodiment of a hat worn with its brim in a traditional shape;

FIG. 4B depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a hat worn with its brim in a second shape; and

FIG. 4C depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a hat worn with its brim in a third shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

The present invention is directed to a collapsible, shapeable hat 10. The hat 10 is capable of being maximally collapsed and reformed to a wearable shape. It further allows granular manipulation for shape control of the brim during use. FIGS. 1A, 2, and 3A illustrate embodiments of hats 10 in a wearable state. FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate the hat 10 in collapsed states.

FIGS. 1A and 2 depict embodiments of a collapsible, shapeable hat 10. There are varying types of hats which may be employed in various embodiments. Hats include bucket hats, bowler hats, baseball caps, fedoras, and others. Suitable hats include a crown 12 and a brim 16. One suitable hat is a bucket hat (FIG. 2), which includes a crown 12 and a brim 16, with the brim 16 circumferential around the edge of the crown 12. Another representative suitable hat type is a baseball style cap (FIG. 1A). A baseball cap is a type of hat with a rounded, hemispherical crown 12 and a brim 16 projecting in front. The front of the cap may contain designs such as logos of sports teams, or names of relevant companies, when used as a commercial marketing technique. Baseball caps are made of many types of material and shaped in various styles for different purposes. The hats can be fabricated in standard hat sizes or in one-size-fits-all form.

A representative crown 12 is made of material which is shaped to or compliant to cover the head of the wearer. One suitable material is a pliant textile, such as polyesters, wools, cottons, other pliant fabrics known in the art or blends thereof. In certain configurations, the material is pliant such that it is form-fitting, stretching and conforming to the shape of the head of the wearer, and deforming when not worn, such as a knit cap. This is in contrast to some conventional crowns which are rigid and of fixed, constant shape and dimension, for example a crown of a “cowboy hat,” which maintain its shape whether or not it's worn.

The crown 12 may be “fitted” to the wearer's head size or it may have a plastic, Velcro, or elastic adjuster so that it can be adjusted to fit the head size of different wearers. Other crowns 12 include a “snapback” adjustment strap in the back. Other are made of “stretch-fit” textiles, such as Lycra or rubber which allow a hat to have a fitted style while still being “adjustable” within a range of sizes.

In certain configurations, the crown 12 is continuous, unitary fabric. In other configurations, the crown 12 is sewn in sections, such as the known six or eight panel crown, and may be topped with a matching fabric-covered button. Metal grommets or fabric eyelets are often sewn or attached near the top of each of the six sections of fabric to provide ventilation. Optionally, the rear sections of the crown 12 are made of net-like mesh material for extra ventilation. Optionally, the front of the crown 12 can be slightly stiffened by buckram to display a logo more clearly.

The crown 12 presents an outer edge 14. Extending from the outer edge 14 is a brim 16, operable to block sunlight from the eyes, block wind or particulate from the eyes, demonstrate fashion, or other uses. They come in many shapes and sizes but typically extend outwardly from the crown 12. In certain configurations, such as that of FIG. 2, the brim 16 is circumferential to the crown 12. In other configurations, such as that of FIG. 1A, the brim 16 less than circumferential and takes a particular shape such as a semi-ovular or crescent profile. The exemplary brim 16 includes an interior region 18 and an outer perimeter 22.

The interior region 18 is adjacent to the outer edge 14 of the crown 12 and the outer perimeter 22 is adjacent the interior region 18, further distal to the crown 12. The first end of the interior region 18 is joined to the outer edge 14 of the crown 12 and extends to its outer perimeter 22, by stitching or other means known in the art. In exemplary configuration, the interior region 18 is generally composed of pliant fabrics such as polyesters, wools, cottons, other fabrics known in the art, or blends thereof. That is to state that the pliant fabric configured embodiment does not include rigid material such as cardboard.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, a semi-rigid line 26 is secured to the brim 16, at the outer perimeter 22 in exemplary configuration. In certain configurations, a seam 24 is employed, presenting a pocket through which the semi-rigid line 26 is slidably placed. In other configurations, the semi-rigid line is glued to brim 16. In other configurations, loops (not shown) are spaced about the brim 16, through which the semi-rigid line 26 is slidably placed. In other configurations, mechanical fasteners (not shown), such as staples or other means known in the art, are used to secure the semi-rigid line 26 to the brim 16.

The semi-rigid line 26 is a semi-rigid length of material. Furthermore, the exemplary semi-rigid line 26 is manipulable substantially along its entire length and manipulable in multiples degrees of freedom. The flexibility for manipulation can be enabled via composition or mechanical structure. Accordingly, the semi-rigid line 26 may be composed of metals, plastics, composites, or other suitable material, for varying rigidity. For example, the composition can be a metal wire, plastic wire, or a metal wire with a plastic coating. Alternatively, the semi-rigid line 26 may be composed of short linked sections. Suitable rigidity includes that which can be manipulated by hand but resists deformation by minor force, such as wind. The suitable flexibility of the semi-rigid line 26 facilitates lateral and longitudinal manipulation substantially along its length. The manipulation effectively enables multiples degrees of freedom along the semi-rigid line 26 and enables the semi-rigid line 26 to be shaped into a wide variety of shapes. In exemplary configuration, the semi-rigid line 26 is manipulable from a first state where that the interior region 18 is taught, simulating the stiffness of cardboard traditionally inserted in a baseball cap brim, such as shown in FIG. 3A, to another state where the volume of the hat 10 is minimized, such as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.

The semi-rigid line 26 may be disposed in various configurations. In certain configurations, the semi-rigid line 26 is disposed along part of or all of the outer perimeter 22, such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2. In certain configurations, the semi-rigid line 26 is disposed along part of or all of the outer edge 14 of the crown 12, such as shown in FIG. 1B.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-3C and 4A-4C, usage of a collapsible, shapeable hat 10, is now shown. The hat is manipulated to its normal, expanded state, as shown in FIG. 3A. The collapsible, shapeable hat 10 is engaged to the head by sliding the crown 12 over the head of the wearer and the brim 16 is manipulated to the traditional shape, as shown in FIG. 4A. In later usage, the brim 16 may be manipulated to other desired shapes, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. Later, the wearer may remove the hat 10, where it may exist as shown in FIG. 3A. In preparation for storage, the wearer may deform or crumple it to a different shape or smaller volume for placement in a pocket, backet, or other storage, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. Later, the wearer may restore the shape by manipulating it back to the shape of FIG. 3A.

Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawing disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the single claim below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible, shapeable hat, said hat comprising: a crown and a brim; said crown composed of material shaped to cover a head and including an outer edge; said brim extending from said outer edge of said crown, said brim including an interior region and an outer perimeter; said interior region composed of pliant material; said brim joined to said outer edge of said crown and extending distally from said outer edge such that said interior region is adjacent said outer edge of said crown and said outer perimeter is further distal to said crown; and a semi-rigid line secured to said brim, the semi-rigid line being a semi-rigid length of material granular manipulable laterally and longitudinally substantially along its entire length, enabling lateral and longitudinal manipulation along the majority of points of its length.
 2. The hat of claim 1, wherein said crown is composed of a pliant textile, conforming to the shape of the head of the wearer.
 3. The hat of claim 1, wherein said crown is said crown is continuous, unitary fabric.
 4. The hat of claim 1, wherein said brim is circumferential to said crown.
 5. The hat of claim 1, wherein said brim less than circumferential to said crown.
 6. The hat of claim 5, wherein said brim has a crescent profile.
 7. The hat of claim 1, further providing a seam disposed between said interior region and said outer perimeter, said seam forming a pocket through which said semi-rigid line is disposed.
 8. The hat of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid line is glued to said brim.
 9. The hat of claim 1, wherein loops are spaced about said brim, through which said semi-rigid line is slidably placed.
 10. The hat of claim 1, further comprising mechanical fasteners securing said semi-rigid line to said brim.
 11. The hat of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid line is secured to said brim at said outer perimeter.
 12. The hat of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid line is disposed completely along said outer perimeter.
 13. The hat of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid line is disposed partially along said outer perimeter.
 14. The hat of claim 1, further comprising semi-rigid line disposed completely along said outer edge.
 15. The hat of claim 1, further comprising semi-rigid line is disposed partially along said outer edge.
 16. A collapsible, shapeable hat, said hat comprising: a crown and a brim; said crown composed of material shaped to cover a head and including an outer edge, said crown composed of pliant material, conforming to the shape of the head of the wearer; said brim extending from said outer edge of said crown, said brim including an interior region and an outer perimeter; said interior region composed of pliant material; said brim joined to said outer edge of said crown and extending distally from said outer edge such that said interior region is adjacent said outer edge of said crown and said outer perimeter is further distal to said crown; and a semi-rigid line secured to said brim, the semi-rigid line being a semi-rigid length of material granular manipulable laterally and longitudinally substantially along its entire length, enabling lateral and longitudinal manipulation along the majority of points of its length.
 17. The hat of claim 16, wherein said brim is circumferential to said crown and said semi-rigid line is disposed completely along said outer edge.
 18. The hat of claim 18, further comprising semi-rigid line disposed completely along said outer edge.
 19. The hat of claim 16, wherein said brim has a crescent profile and said semi-rigid line is disposed completely along said outer edge.
 20. The hat of claim 19, further comprising semi-rigid line disposed along said outer edge where said brim is joined to said crown. 